Dear Supporters, with the first day of spring, I thought I'd describe a mistake  of measurement made by Transport for NSW and point out again that their review of the Community Cycle Ramp wasn't independent. 

Transport’s mistake in 2021

·         Due to incorrect measurements, Transport thought the Sydney Harbour Bridge cycleway was higher than it is. This led them to design a cycle ramp (spiral ramp) of 240 metres landing in Bradfield Park Central. 

·         Professionals in the community correctly measured the height and submitted a fold-back ramp measuring the correct length of 190 metres.

Transport’s egregious conduct

·         On becoming aware of its error, instead of accepting the community’s fold-back ramp which met all standards and had widespread support, it discredited it and vigorously promoted its unwise linear ramp landing in Bradfield Park North,

·         Transport conducted a binary survey of its “spiral v linear” ramps; the linear was chosen as the lesser of two evils.

·         Transport conducted a faux design excellence competition; designs had to be linear and land in Bradfield Park North. The Jury did not select a winner in view of adverse heritage impacts on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

·         Transport represented a foreign contractor’s report discrediting the fold-back ramp to elected officials as “independent” when in fact that contractor had earlier been appointed by Transport to work on its linear ramp. 

·         Transport claims its process has been collaborative. This is incorrect. The views of North Sydney Council, Engineers Australia, the community, 7,200+ petitioners and other stakeholders have been ignored.

·         Transport coerced North Sydney Council into giving “landowner’s consent” so it could get heritage approval for its linear ramp in exchange for $2.5m.

·         In August 2023, Transport finally admitted its mistake with the excuse that the linear ramp was the preferred option.

The Consequences

·         Irreparable damage to the heritage values of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and its parkland setting.

·         Serious risks to the safety of cyclists and pedestrians in Bradfield Park North

·         Failure to meet the project objectives as cyclists from the eastern side of the railway line will continue to use the 55 steps

·         Expenditure of millions of dollars of taxpayers’ money on a flawed and unnecessarily expensive and intrusive project.

·         Risk of allegations of misfeasance in public office.

·         Risk of political fallout for the NSW Government.